Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-15
What Are Fruit-Brandies ?

The Providence Journal having recently
advanced some strong arguments In favor
Of the repeal OF the tobaccO-tax, the Dis
patch asked 1t TO consider the many and
potent reasons why the tax on iruit.bran-
dies should not also be abolished. In reply
to this request our contemporary says:
"The Journal at this time has no leisure
in which to investigate new and intricate
problems. It confesses that IL knows no
more, experimentaly, about fruit-brandy
than the Dispatch knows about the Sep
TENDER clam-bak OF brandy In general,
it Is 30 for forth informed as to have seen
IT quoted In foreign and California stalls
ties. That information does not cover the
case OF the Dispatch, as we understand 1t.
our contemporary speaks apparently OF
a domestic manufacture, which by It's
nomenclature is an intoXicaut, and TO the
southern palate acceptable, II not delight
full. From the prominence given it by the
Dispatch IL would seem 10 be product OF q
popular kind, and to be burdened by tax
which, not sufficient probably TO decrease
materially its use, Is enough TO bear, either
in theory or in fact, so hard as TO excite
the feelings and the angry dissent OF the
SOuthp
Basing our remarks upon tradition, we
would say that II the Journal is innocent Of
the power OF apple.toddy" to make the
ground describe lateral circles, and OF
the influence Of "peach and honey" in
putting one in good humor with "the
world and the rest Of mankind" it has an
experience before it. We would fear TO
have it tackle either lest 1t should meet the
fate Of the northern man who was taught
by Nirginian to drink grass in his whis-
Icy. However, the journal drops It's
bantering tone before it gets through with
the subject. 1t adds:
elf we are TO take fruit brandy as
generic term, and consider II as including
In principle the wblskey made in the
mountains Of the South, we can under
stand why il should be thought, not alone
by the distillers, but by everybody, that
there is good reason for the repeal OF a tax
which is coniessedly a war tax, and for
which there is in reason and justice no
need Of to. day."
Again:
"Now, as we do not know whether or
not fruit-brandy is a household product.
we will contine our view TO the illicit dis
tilIers of the bills. so long as the law re-
mains IL should be enforced; but what, in
fact, is the result OF the law in the regions
aforesaid at this time? The revenue Is not
required. Indeed, every one is trying to
get rid of II. II the law is eyaded the peo-
pie are demoralzed; II 1t is enforced there
is feeling that the National Government
Is hard upon the deienceIess. In this mat
ter OF whiskey manufacture we have always
sided in feeling with the southern folks;
not in their violation OF law, but In tue In
equitable burden they have borne since the
revenue was too large for the safety OF the
nation"
With equal seriousness we remark that
whether the JOurnG! is posted or not touch
ing the meaning OF the term "frult-bran-
dies" 1t has very comprehensive under
standing Of the iniquities OF the internal
revenue system and what is involved in its
abolition. Nevertheless, it may not be out
ef place to inform the journal that in the
main fruit-brandies are brandies distilled
from apples and peaches grown in the orch
ards of the small farmers, and that they
are household products, as much so rs APP
ple-bu;ter and peach-butter, seing that they
are distilled by the very smallest OF farmers.